Jan 31, 2022

Certis Biologicals debuts nematode-controlling product

Certis Biologicals recently announced the launch of MeloCon LC, a water-dispersible concentrate containing spores from a naturally-occurring soil fungus, which controls harmful nematodes.

Plant-parasitic nematodes, an unseen threat that American growers are facing in increasing numbers, can cause significant root damage to a variety of crops, weakening the overall health Certis Biologicals debuts nematode-controlling productof plants and diminishing crop yield, according to a news release from the company.

The product is listed with the Organic Materials Review Institute, aka OMRI, as “allowed with restrictions” for organic growers.

MeloCon LC’s active ingredient is Purpureocilium lilacinum strain 251, according to the news release. The improved liquid concentrate formulation brings a variety of advantages to growers of both organic and conventional acreage. The liquid formula provides greater convenience in storage, handling and tank-mixing and allows for application flexibility when fumigant and conventional chemistries cannot be applied.

“We heard growers when they said they needed a sustainable product that could be applied at various times during the growing season and even multiple times to protect acres that work twice as hard with double-cropping,” Chris Judd, Certis’ global vice-president of marketing, said in the release.

MeloCon LC is labeled for use in all states except California, with registration pending, and Puerto Rico. The new formulation will be most beneficial for growers of potato, sweet potato, carrot, asparagus, garlic, onion, strawberry, watermelon, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, squash and permanent crops such as berries, citrus, tree nuts and tree fruit.

“Nematodes are found in almost all soils. Some are worse than others, but once established in the field, nematodes are difficult to eradicate and must be managed,” field development manager Karla Medina said in the release. She said MeloCon LC is an ideal tool to control damage done by nematodes as part of an integrated program. “Because plant parasitic nematodes affect the plant’s overall health, if soils are not managed to control nematodes, they can reduce your crops’ ability to produce year after year.”

More information is available at www.CertisBio.com.

Above, Certis Biologicials products are sold through a global distribution network and in collaboration with various technology, regulatory and sourcing companies in more than 50 countries. Photo: Certis